Perfect Peace

“Peace, Be Still” is built around Isaiah 26:3-4 and Mark 4:37-41. The latter is a passage that the Lord used in my life to teach me a big lesson last year while we were in the process of moving from Louisiana to Mississippi and learning the various new things of this state. When I realized that fatal tornadoes were semi-regular, I will confess that fear began to torment me–particularly because we moved into a fragile mobile home. In my daily Bible reading, God brought me to the passages in the Gospels where Jesus led His disciples straight into the storm on sea because He knew the lessons He would teach them there. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God had moved our family up here (and even that He had specially provided this mobile home for us!)…and where He led He would protect. There was something about that lesson that helped me to learn even more how to trust God in the storms.

What are some verses that have comforted you? Some lessons He’s taught you through those verses?
(and don’t forget about the giveaway you can enter!)

Peace, Be Still | Short Story Release and Giveaway

It’s officially here! By God’s grace there is a new short story on the loose: “Peace, Be Still.”

What if you were left in charge of a lighthouse–at only twelve years old?

What if you weren’t guaranteed your dad would survive the storm and return?

The fun thing about this short story is that I’ll give you an eBook for free if you sign up to my new writing newsletter here (or you can just go and buy a Kindle copy or order a print copy).
And, if you feel like a little party, I’m having the release party on FaceBook this afternoon (5:00-8:30–a slow, relaxed time). Visit my FB page and request an invite!

Giveaway
And what’s a release without a giveaway? 🙂 Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a PRINT copy of “Peace, Be Still” and the “Be Still” faith building block (from Par la Grace).

*Giveaway open to U.S. residents only please*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour

Several lovely ladies decided to celebrate with me in the release of “Peace, Be Still.” Be sure to stop by and check out their blogs!
September 18, 2015
September 19, 2015

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“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Word Wednesday #72 | Link-up

“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” Luke 5:5
Two different thoughts with this verse:
– Am I willing to turn back and “keep doing” what the Lord leads me to do, even if I have previously seen no results? Am I willing to obey simply “at His Word?”
– That night the men had toiled uselessly in their own strength. But, upon later receiving the commandment from Jesus, they gleaned the fruits of  going in His timing and His power.

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 
 

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Psalm 119:63

Psalm 119:63
(63)  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
Who are our companions (associates)? Our friends should not merely claim a relationship with Christ – it should be evidenced that they fear (revere) God and keep His Word. Their walk should be compared to Scripture. Are they even trying to follow God’s Word?
There are a couple of warnings about companions:
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)
“Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.” (Proverbs 28:7)

We need to be like Paul, whose companion was a fellowsoldier, a servant: “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.” (Philippians2:25)

Coming Next Week…

It is with great excitement and gratitude to Jesus Christ that I can announce the upcoming release of a new short story!

It will be released next week, September 18, so keep your eyes out!!

(Note to bloggers: I still have some openings for the release tour, September 18-19. If you’re interested in joining, comment with your email address–I won’t publish it, but I will send you the info you need to participate!)

Also in the “news” is my website update.

Oh, and yes you do see that correctly: “Peace, Be Still” will be free for newsletter subscribers.

You can also join my writing team if you’re a blogger or book reviewer.

And, last but not least, I also have a section specifically for writers. Honestly, I love helping and supporting fellow authors (or authors-in-the-making)!

Anything new with you this week?

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“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3

Word Wednesday #71 | Link-Up

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; Luke 3:5

Christ is greater than the lifestyles of men to where He can straighten no matter how crooked it was and He can smooth out, no matter how rough it was.

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 
 

Trying something new with WW–a link-up! 
Let’s see how this works…

Psalm 119:61-62

Psalm 119:61-62
(61)  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
There is no excuse to forget God’s law. When trials come, it should not bring us further from God’s law, it should not cause us to doubt God, but bring us closer. What is the difference? Some people forget God’s law – that He warns us we’ll suffer trials and tribulations (“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”James 1:2-4). They forget that God promises rewards to those who endure (“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12). Those few verses should help us to stay focused not on the enemy or the trials we’re facing, but on God, Who is sufficient through our trials.
(62)  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Here is another “night” mentioned. What am I doing at midnight? If I awaken in the middle of the night, do I turn my thoughts immediately to God in thanksgiving? Do my thoughts go to His Word?

The perfect example of midnight worship is Paul and Silas: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)

Learning to See Creatively | Book Review

Before I finished this book, I had my camera in hand and was outside taking pictures. Though I am not inclined to be an abstract photographer, the tips in this book were very helpful and got my wheels turning.
Peterson comes from his thirty-plus years of experience to address Expanding Your Vision, Elements of Design, Composition, The Magic of Light, and Photoshop. His style is very rounded out, from traditional landscapes to modern abstract photographs. The books is full of beautiful images and informative text. Though I have read through the book once, I know that I will refer back to it several times to study different images and his camera settings.
Negatives:

Being a secular photography book, there were a few images that I decided to cover up before my brothers would see the book (I actually was surprised that there were only 6-10). There were also some words that my family views as “bad words.” 
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.


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For the fun of it…
Here are some pictures I snapped after reading portions of the book. What I was specifically working on was seeing colors and contrast. Another thing that I have put on my list to work on is take my time while capturing in image.

All images completely unedited.


What is something you’ve done this week? Either learning a new craft or honing one that you’ve already begun?

O Magnify the Lord With Me

A passage that I have been meditating on this week is Psalm 34:1-4:

1 I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

And, every time that I quote those verses, one song comes to mind and I wanted to share it today.

Sure, we might be facing tough days and difficult moments, but our praise should continually be to God!